U.S. patent application number 09/836242 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for communication system, vehicle-mounted communication system, communication device, and vehicle-mounted device.
Invention is credited to Hatakeyama, Takeshi, Kitao, Mitsuru, Kurosaki, Toshihiko, Moriguchi, Kenichi, Tomoda, Masaaki.
Application Number | 20020007238 09/836242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18630036 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020007238 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moriguchi, Kenichi ; et
al. |
January 17, 2002 |
Communication system, vehicle-mounted communication system,
communication device, and vehicle-mounted device
Abstract
The present invention provides a communication system, a
vehicle-mounted communication system, a communication device, and a
vehicle-mounted device, which can easily and simultaneously set
plural devices which are connected by a network. A communication
terminal (server) 11 comprises a storage medium interface 112 to or
from which a storage medium 111 can be inserted or removed, and
each of devices 12a to 12c comprises a control means 122 for
controlling reading of setting information 115 from the storage
medium 111 which has been inserted into the storage medium
interface 112 of the communication terminal (server) 11 or writing
of the setting information 115 to the storage medium 111, via a
network 15, and a setting means 124 for setting the self-device on
the basis of the setting information 115 read from the storage
medium 111.
Inventors: |
Moriguchi, Kenichi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kitao, Mitsuru; (Nara, JP) ; Hatakeyama,
Takeshi; (Hyogo, JP) ; Kurosaki, Toshihiko;
(Hyogo, JP) ; Tomoda, Masaaki; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
18630036 |
Appl. No.: |
09/836242 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/36 ;
701/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/12 20130101;
H04L 9/40 20220501; H04L 67/14 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/36 ;
701/1 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-118983 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication system in which a first device and a second
device are connected by a channel, and the first device and the
second device establish communication via the channel, wherein the
first device comprises a storage medium interface to or from which
a storage medium can be inserted or removed, and the second device
comprises a control means for controlling reading of setting
information from the storage medium which has inserted into the
storage medium interface of the first device or writing of setting
information onto the storage medium, via the channel; and a setting
means for carrying out setting of the second device on the basis of
the setting information read from the storage medium.
2. A communication system in which a first device and a second
device are connected by a channel, and the first device and a
second device establish communication via the channel, wherein the
first device comprises a radio interface for establishing radio
communication with a storage medium which includes a radio
interface, and the second device comprises a control means for
controlling reading of setting information from the storage medium
via the radio interface by means of the first device or writing of
setting information onto the storage medium, via the channel; and a
setting means for carrying out setting of the second device on the
basis of the setting information read from the storage medium.
3. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the second
device establishes communication with the first device via the
channel, with start-up of the communication system as a trigger,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the setting information read from the storage medium.
4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with insertion of the storage medium into the storage medium
interface as a trigger, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the setting information read from the
storage medium.
5. The communication system of claim 2 wherein the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with a fact that the first device and the storage medium become
communicable by radio via the radio interface as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium.
6. The communication system of claim 2 wherein the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with a fact that the first device and the storage medium become
communicable by radio via the radio interface as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium, and the setting
of the second device is released with a fact that the first device
and the storage medium become incommunicable by radio via the radio
interface as a trigger.
7. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the second
device establishes communication with the first device via the
channel, with receipt of a message from a third device connected to
the channel, for requesting update of setting information as a
trigger, and the setting of the second device is carried out on the
basis of the setting information read from the storage medium.
8. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein when the
setting information read from the storage medium is updated, the
second device writes the updated setting information in the storage
medium via the channel.
9. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes setting
information for each person or identification information for
identifying a person.
10. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes user interface
setting information concerning setting of a user interface of a
Human Machine Interface device, and when the second device is a
Human Machine Interface device, it establishes communication with
the first device via the channel, and the setting of the second
device is carried out on the basis of the user interface setting
information which is included in the setting information read from
the storage medium.
11. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes voice recognition
information concerning voice recognition for each person stored in
a voice recognition device, and when the second device is a voice
recognition device, it establishes communication with the first
device via the channel, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the voice recognition information which
is included in the setting information read from the storage
medium.
12. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes executable
program information, and the second device establishes
communication with the first device via the channel, and executes a
program on the basis of the program information which is included
in the setting information read from the storage medium.
13. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 comprising a relay
device which is connected to a first channel constituted by the
channel and a second channel different from the first channel, said
relay device comprising plural communication means for establishing
communications with the first channel and the second channel,
respectively, and a control means for controlling relay between the
first channel and the second channel.
14. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first
device is connected to a first channel constituted by the channel
and a second channel different from the first channel, and performs
relay between the first channel and the second channel.
15. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage
medium is a memory card.
16. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage
medium is a PCMCIA card.
17. The communication system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage
medium is an IC card.
18. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the second device establishes communication with
the first device via the channel, with turning-on of an ignition
key or start-up of an engine of the vehicle as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium.
19. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the first device or the second device analyzes
contents of vehicle speed information transmitted from a vehicle
speed sensor, and when recognizing that the vehicle speed is higher
than a prescribed speed, controls the setting of the second device
not to be carried out.
20. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the first device or the second device analyzes
contents of status information indicating an engine operation
status transmitted from an engine sensor, and when recognizing that
the engine is working, controls the setting of the second device
not to be carried out.
21. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes seat position setting information concerning a seat
position for each person, and when the second device is a device
for setting the seat position of the vehicle, it establishes
communication with the first device via the channel, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
seat position setting information which is included in the setting
information read from the storage medium.
22. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes mirror position setting information concerning a
mirror position of the vehicle for each person, and when the second
device is a device for setting the mirror position of the vehicle,
it establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the mirror position setting information which is included in the
setting information read from the storage medium.
23. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
means includes handle position setting information concerning a
handle position of the vehicle for each person, and when the second
device is a device for setting a handle position of the vehicle, it
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the handle position setting information which is included in the
setting information read from the storage medium.
24. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes air conditioner setting information concerning an
air conditioner environment for each person, and when the second
device is an air conditioner device, it establishes communication
with the first device via the channel, and the setting of the
second device is carried out on the basis of the air conditioner
setting information which is included in the setting information
read from the storage medium.
25. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes car audio setting information concerning a car
audio environment for each person, and when the second device is a
car audio device, it establishes communication with the first
device via the channel, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the car audio setting information which
is included in the setting information read from the storage
medium.
26. A vehicle-mounted communication system which is obtained by
using the communication system of claim 1 or 2 to be mounted on a
vehicle, wherein the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes car navigator setting information concerning a car
navigator environment for each person, and when the second device
is a car navigator device, it establishes communication with the
first device via the channel, and the setting of the second device
is carried out on the basis of the car navigator setting
information which is included in the setting information read from
the storage medium.
27. A communication device as a first device which establishes
communication with a second device via a channel comprising: a
storage medium interface to and from which a storage medium can be
inserted or removed; a communication means for establishing the
communication with the second device via the channel; and a control
means for controlling reading of setting information from the
storage medium which has been inserted into the storage medium
interface, or writing of setting information of the second device
which has received from the second device via the channel onto the
storage medium.
28. A communication device as a first device which establishes
communication with a second device via a channel comprising: a
radio interface for establishing radio communication with a storage
medium having a radio interface; a communication means for
establishing the communication with the second device via the
channel; and a control means for controlling reading of setting
information from the storage medium or writing of setting
information of the second device which has received from the second
device via the channel onto the storage medium, via the radio
interface.
29. The communication device of claim 27 wherein the control means
reads the setting information from the storage medium which has
been inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the
same to the second device, with receipt of a message for requesting
the setting information from the second device as a trigger.
30. The communication device of claim 27 wherein the control means
reads access address information to the storage medium which has
been inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the
same to the second device, with start-up of the communication
device as a trigger.
31. The communication device of claim 27 wherein the control means
reads the setting information from the storage medium which has
been inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the
same to the second device, with start-up of the communication
device as a trigger.
32. The communication device of claim 27 wherein the control means
transmits a message indicating that the storage medium has been
inserted into the storage medium interface, to the second device,
with the insertion of the storage medium into the storage medium
interface as a trigger.
33. The communication device of claim 27 wherein the control means
reads the setting information from the storage medium which has
been inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the
same to the second device, with the insertion of the storage medium
into the storage medium interface as a trigger.
34. The communication device of claim 28 wherein the control means
transmits a message indicating that the storage medium has been
found, to the second device, with a fact that radio communication
becomes possible via the storage medium and the radio interface as
a trigger.
35. The communication device of claim 28 wherein the control means
reads the setting information from the storage medium via the radio
interface to transmit the same to the second device, with a fact
that radio communication becomes possible via the storage medium
and the radio interface as a trigger.
36. A vehicle-mounted device which is obtained by using the
communication device of claim 27 or 28 to be mounted on a
vehicle.
37. The vehicle-mounted device of claim 36 wherein when vehicle
speed information is received from a vehicle speed sensor by the
communication means, the control means analyzes contents of the
vehicle speed information and when recognizing that the vehicle
speed is higher than a prescribed speed, controls the setting
information read from the storage medium which has been inserted
into the storage medium interface so as not to be transmitted to
the second device.
38. The vehicle-mounted device of claim 36 wherein when status
information indicating an engine operation status is received from
an engine sensor by the communication means, the control means
analyzes contents of the status information and when recognizing
that the engine is working, controls the setting information read
from the storage medium which has been inserted into the storage
medium interface so as not to be transmitted to the second
device.
39. A communication device as a second device for establishing
communication with a first device via a channel comprising: a
communication means for establishing the communication with the
first device via the channel; a control means for controlling
reading of setting information from the first device or writing of
setting information onto the first device, via the channel; and a
setting means for carrying out setting of the second device on the
basis of the setting information which is read from the first
device and received by the communication means, wherein when the
setting information read from the first device is updated, the
control means controls writing of the updated setting information
onto the first device.
40. The communication device of claim 39 wherein the control means
creates a message for requesting the setting information to
transmit the same to the first device, with start-up of the
communication device as a trigger.
41. The communication device of claim 39 wherein the control means
creates a message for requesting access address information
required for the communication with the first device to transmit
the same by broadcast, with start-up of the communication device as
a trigger, and when the communication means receives the access
address information from the first device, it transmits a message
for requesting setting information on the basis of the access
address information.
42. The communication device of claim 39 wherein the communication
means transmits a message for requesting setting information, with
receipt of a message for requesting setting information from a
third device which is connected to the channel as a trigger.
43. The communication device of claim 39 further comprising a
default setting storage means for containing default setting
information of the second device, wherein when the setting means
receives setting information from the first device, it carries out
the setting of the second device on the basis of the setting
information, and when it receives no setting information from the
first device, it carries out the setting of the second device on
the basis of the default setting information.
44. A vehicle-mounted device which is obtained by using the
communication device of claim 39 to be mounted on a vehicle.
45. The vehicle-mounted device of claim 44 wherein when vehicle
speed information is received from a vehicle speed sensor by the
communication means, the control means analyzes contents of the
vehicle speed information and when recognizing that the vehicle
speed is higher than a prescribed speed, controls the setting means
so as not to execute the setting of the second device.
46. The vehicle-mounted device of claim 44 wherein when status
information indicating an engine operation status is received from
an engine sensor by the communication means, the control means
analyzes contents of the status information and when recognizing
that the engine is working, controls the setting means so as not to
execute the setting of the second device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems and
communication devices for setting plural devices which are
connected by a channel and, more particularly, to vehicle-mounted
communication systems for controlling a setting operation when
vehicle-mounted devices are connected by a network, and
vehicle-mounted devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, setting information for a device which is
not connected by a network or the like is stored in the device. For
example, in the case of a stand-alone CD player, setting
information concerning the setting of the volume, sound quality,
equalizer and the like of the CD player is commonly stored in a
storage means included in the CD player.
[0003] Recently, vehicle-mounted devices which have been
sophisticated and digitized like car navigation systems, DVD
drives, CD changers and the like have come into wide use, and
setting information of each device or items which can be configured
by the user are being increased. Further, many vehicle-mounted
devices are getting to be mounted on vehicles and connected each
other.
[0004] In these vehicle-mounted network environments, when the
setting is to be carried out for plural devices, for example
according to respective persons, the setting is carried out
manually by the user, but this includes many errors and is
troublesome. Further, also when the vehicle-mounted network
environments are to be reflected upon vehicle-mounted network
environments of another vehicle, the manual setting is the only way
and thereby the same problems arise.
[0005] As an example of systems working in the network
environments, there is a network by computers, while also in the
computers, the setting of a computer (setting concerning the user
interface, setting of a network parameter and the like) is usually
stored in a storage means included in this computer, in many cases.
However, in an environment where plural computers are connected by
a network, there are also some cases where the setting of client
computers is stored in a server computer.
[0006] For example, in a "client/server system" disclosed in
Japanese Published Patent Application No. Hei.10-320339, in an
environment where a server and plural clients are connected, even
when a user logs in from a different client computer, the user
environment file stored in the server is transmitted to that client
computer and the client computer is started up in accordance with
the received user environment file. Accordingly, even when the user
logs in from any different client computer, the computer can be
started up in the same startup environment.
[0007] However, in a method disclosed in Japanese Published Patent
Application No. Hei.10-320339, the same environment is set for a
certain user on different terminals and thus the setting cannot be
carried out for each device and each person, in an environment
where different devices are connected on the network.
[0008] Accordingly, as a method for simplifying the setting for
each person in a computer terminal, Japanese Published Patent
Application No. 2000-47748 discloses a method for storing a
personal setting environment of a personal computer in an IC card
and easily setting the personal environment of the personal
computer by the IC card.
[0009] Hereinafter, the method disclosed in Japanese Published
Patent Application No. 2000-47748 is described with reference to
FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b). FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b) are diagrams for
schematically illustrating personal computers which are started up
by IC cards. The computers PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC4 in FIGS. 27(a)
and 27(b) are connected each other and with a network server PC5
through the Ethernet, respectively. The IC cards are possessed by
persons, respectively, and for example when the card A is used for
the computer PC1 as shown in FIG. 27(a), this computer is started
up in the environment of A. Then, when the card A is used for the
computer PC4 as shown in FIG. 27(b), this computer is started up in
the environment of A.
[0010] Accordingly, when the person carries the card, the operation
in his environments can be realized in any personal computer.
[0011] However, it is necessary to provide a storage means which
contains setting information and a storage medium interface
corresponding to the storage means, for each device to be set, and
for example when the user wants to change the setting environment,
the storage means should be changed for each device and it is
troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide
communication systems, vehicle-mounted communication systems,
communication devices, and vehicle-mounted devices, which can
execute setting of devices connected to a channel, only by
exchanging storage media.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description and specific
embodiments described are provided only for illustration since
various additions and modifications within the spirit and scope of
the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from
the detailed description.
[0014] According to a 1st aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a communication system in which a first device and a
second device are connected by a channel, and the first device and
the second device establish communication via the channel, and in
this communication system, the first device comprises a storage
medium interface to or from which a storage medium can be inserted
or removed, and the second device comprises a control means for
controlling reading of setting information from the storage medium
which has inserted into the storage medium interface of the first
device or writing of setting information onto the storage medium,
via the channel; and a setting means for carrying out setting of
the second device on the basis of the setting information read from
the storage medium. Therefore, when the second device establishes
the communication with the first device via the channel, it is
unnecessary for the user to carry out the setting of each device
using a storage medium corresponding each of the devices connected
to the channel, like in the prior art, and the setting of the
second device can be easily executed only by inserting the storage
medium into the first device and further when the plural second
devices are connected to the channel, the setting of the plural
second devices can be simultaneously executed, whereby the
operationality of the user is increased.
[0015] According to a 2nd aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a communication system in which a first device and a
second device are connected by a channel, and the first device and
a second device establish communication via the channel, and in
this communication system, the first device comprises a radio
interface for establishing radio communication with a storage
medium which includes a radio interface, and the second device
comprises a control means for controlling reading of setting
information from the storage medium via the radio interface by
means of the first device or writing of setting information onto
the storage medium, via the channel; and a setting means for
carrying out setting of the second device on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore, when
the second device establishes the communication with the first
device via the channel, it is unnecessary for the user to carry out
the setting of each device using a storage medium corresponding to
each of the devices connected to the channel, like in the prior
art, and the radio communication can be established with the
storage medium only by bringing the storage medium closer to the
first device, to obtain the setting information stored in the
storage medium, and the setting of the second device can be easily
executed on the basis of the setting information, and further when
plural second devices are connected to the channel, the setting of
the plural second devices can be simultaneously executed, whereby
the operationality of the user is increased.
[0016] According to a 3rd aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with start-up of the communication system as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the
setting of the second device can be carried out automatically at
each start-up of the communication system.
[0017] According to a 4th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st aspect, the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with insertion of the storage medium into the storage medium
interface as a trigger, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the setting information read from the
storage medium. Therefore, the setting of the second device can be
carried out automatically each time when the storage medium is
inserted into the first device.
[0018] According to a 5th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 2nd aspect, the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with a fact that the first device and the storage medium become
communicable by radio via the radio interface as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the
setting of the second device can be carried out automatically only
by getting the storage medium closer to an area in which the radio
communication with the first device becomes possible.
[0019] According to a 6th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 2nd aspect, the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with a fact that the first device and the storage medium become
communicable by radio via the radio interface as a trigger, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
setting information read from the storage medium, and the setting
of the second device is released with a fact that the first device
and the storage medium become incommunicable by radio via the radio
interface as a trigger. Therefore, the setting operation for the
second device can be easily controlled with the fact that the radio
communication between the first device and the storage medium
becomes possible or impossible as a trigger.
[0020] According to a 7th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the second device
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
with receipt of a message from a third device connected to the
channel, for requesting update of setting information as a trigger,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore,
when the second device receives the message for requesting the
update of the setting information from the third device, the
setting of the second device can be automatically carried out.
[0021] According to an 8th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, when the setting
information read from the storage medium is updated, the second
device writes the updated setting information in the storage medium
via the channel. Therefore, when the setting information of the
self-device is updated, the second device can automatically write
the updated setting information on the storage medium.
[0022] According to a 9th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes setting
information for each person or identification information for
identifying a person. Therefore, the second device can be easily
set in the setting environment which is suitable for each person,
only by exchanging the storage medium to be inserted into the first
device.
[0023] According to a 10th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes user interface
setting information concerning setting of a user interface of a
Human Machine Interface device, and when the second device is a
Human Machine Interface device, it establishes communication with
the first device via the channel, and the setting of the second
device is carried out on the basis of the user interface setting
information which is included in the setting information read from
the storage medium. Therefore, the second device can be easily set
in the user interface environment which is suitable for each user,
only by exchanging the storage medium to be inserted into the first
device.
[0024] According to an 11th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes voice recognition
information concerning voice recognition for each person stored in
a voice recognition device, and when the second device is a voice
recognition device, it establishes communication with the first
device via the channel, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the voice recognition information which
is included in the setting information read from the storage
medium. Therefore, the second device can be easily set in the voice
recognition environment which is suitable for each user, only by
exchanging the storage medium to be inserted into the first
device.
[0025] According to a 12th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the setting
information stored in the storage medium includes executable
program information, and the second device establishes
communication with the first device via the channel, and executes a
program on the basis of the program information which is included
in the setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore,
the communication system which can execute a more complicated
setting operation can be realized by changing the setting
information stored in the storage medium from just data to a
program.
[0026] According to a 13th aspect of the present invention, the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect comprises a relay
device which is connected to a first channel constituted by the
channel and a second channel different from the first channel, and
this relay device comprises plural communication means for
establishing communications with the first channel and the second
channel, respectively, and a control means for controlling relay
between the first channel and the second channel. Therefore, the
communication between the first channel and the second channel can
be easily relayed via the relay device.
[0027] According to a 14th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the first device is
connected to a first channel constituted by the channel and a
second channel different from the first channel, and performs relay
between the first channel and the second channel. Therefore, the
communication between the first channel and the second channel can
be easily relayed by using the first device as the relay
device.
[0028] According to a 15th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the storage medium
is a memory card. Therefore, the second device can be set only by
inserting the memory card into the first device.
[0029] According to a 16th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the storage medium
is a PCMCIA card. Therefore, the second device can be set only by
inserting the PCMCIA card into the first device.
[0030] According to a 17th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect, the storage medium
is an IC card. Therefore, the second device can be set only by
inserting the IC card into the first device.
[0031] According to an 18th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the second device establishes communication
with the first device via the channel, with turning-on of an
ignition key or start-up of an engine of the vehicle as a trigger,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore,
the setting of the second device can be carried out automatically,
with the turning-on of the ignition key or start of the engine of
the vehicle as a trigger.
[0032] According to a 19th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the first device or the second device
analyzes contents of vehicle speed information transmitted from a
vehicle speed sensor, and when recognizing that the vehicle speed
is higher than a prescribed speed, controls the setting of the
second device not to be carried out. Therefore, when the setting is
updated at a time when the vehicle speed is higher than the
prescribed speed, the setting operation for the second device is
controlled, thereby preventing harmful effects on the safe running
of the vehicle.
[0033] According to a 20th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the first device or the second device
analyzes contents of status information indicating an engine
operation status transmitted from an engine sensor, and when
recognizing that the engine is working, controls the setting of the
second device not to be carried out. Therefore, when the setting is
updated while the engine is working, the setting operation for the
second device is controlled, thereby preventing harmful effects on
the safe running of the vehicle.
[0034] According to a 21st aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes seat position setting information concerning a seat
position for each person, and when the second device is a device
for setting the seat position of the vehicle, it establishes
communication with the first device via the channel, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the
seat position setting information which is included in the setting
information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the seat
position can be adjusted automatically to a position which is
suitable for each user.
[0035] According to a 22nd aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes mirror position setting information concerning a
mirror position of the vehicle for each person, and when the second
device is a device for setting the mirror position of the vehicle,
it establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the mirror position setting information which is included in the
setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the
mirror position of the vehicle can be automatically adjusted to a
position which is suitable for each user.
[0036] According to a 23rd aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the setting information stored in the storage
means includes handle position setting information concerning a
handle position of the vehicle for each person, and when the second
device is a device for setting a handle position of the vehicle, it
establishes communication with the first device via the channel,
and the setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of
the handle position setting information which is included in the
setting information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the
handle position of the vehicle is can be automatically set in a
position which is suitable for each user.
[0037] According to a 24th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, and in this vehicle-mounted
communication system, the setting information stored in the storage
medium includes air conditioner setting information concerning an
air conditioner environment for each person, and when the second
device is an air conditioner device, it establishes communication
with the first device via the channel, and the setting of the
second device is carried out on the basis of the air conditioner
setting information which is included in the setting information
read from the storage medium. Therefore, the air conditioner can be
automatically set in an environment which is suitable for each
user.
[0038] According to a 25th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, the setting information stored in the
storage medium includes car audio setting information concerning a
car audio environment for each person, and when the second device
is a car audio device, it establishes communication with the first
device via the channel, and the setting of the second device is
carried out on the basis of the car audio setting information which
is included in the setting information read from the storage
medium. Therefore, the car audio device can be automatically set in
an environment which is suitable for each user.
[0039] According to a 26th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted communication system which is
obtained by using the communication system of the 1st or 2nd aspect
to be mounted on a vehicle, the setting information stored in the
storage medium includes car navigator setting information
concerning a car navigator environment for each person, and when
the second device is a car navigator device, it establishes
communication with the first device via the channel, and the
setting of the second device is carried out on the basis of the car
navigator setting information which is included in the setting
information read from the storage medium. Therefore, the car
navigator can be automatically set in an environment which is
suitable for each user.
[0040] According to a 27th aspect of the present invention, a
communication device as a first device which establishes
communication with a second device via a channel comprises: a
storage medium interface to and from which a storage medium can be
inserted or removed; a communication means for establishing the
communication with the second device via the channel; and a control
means for controlling reading of setting information from the
storage medium which has been inserted into the storage medium
interface, or writing of setting information of the second device
which has received from the second device via the channel onto the
storage medium. Therefore, when the second device establishes the
communication with the first device via the channel, it is
unnecessary for the user to carry out the setting of each device
using a storage medium corresponding to each of the devices
connected to the channel, like in the prior art, the setting of the
second device can be easily executed only by inserting the storage
medium into the first device, and further when the plural second
devices are connected to the channel, the setting of the plural
second devices can be simultaneously executed, whereby the
operationality of the user can be increased.
[0041] According to a 28th aspect of the present invention, a
communication device as a first device which establishes
communication with a second device via a channel comprises: a radio
interface for establishing radio communication with a storage
medium having a radio interface; a communication means for
establishing the communication with the second device via the
channel; and a control means for controlling reading of setting
information from the storage medium or writing of setting
information of the second device which has received from the second
device via the channel onto the storage medium, via the radio
interface. Therefore, when the second device establishes the
communication with the first device via the channel, it is
unnecessary for the user to carry out the setting of each device
using a storage medium corresponding to each of the devices
connected to the channel, like in the prior art, the radio
communication with the storage medium is established only by
bringing the storage medium closer to the first device, to obtain
the setting information stored in the storage medium, and the
setting of the second device can be easily executed on the basis of
the setting information, and further when the plural second devices
are connected to the channel, the setting of the plural second
devices can be simultaneously executed, whereby the operationality
of the user is increased.
[0042] According to a 29th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 27th aspect, the control means reads
the setting information from the storage medium which has been
inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the same to
the second device, with receipt of a message for requesting the
setting information from the second device as a trigger. Therefore,
the setting operation for the second device can be started, with
the receipt of the message for requesting the setting information
from the second device as a trigger.
[0043] According to a 30th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 27th aspect, the control means reads
access address information to the storage medium which has been
inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the same to
the second device, with start-up of the communication device as a
trigger. Therefore, even when the second device does not have the
access address information for the storage means, the second device
can acquire the setting information in accordance with the access
address information received from the communication device, and
perform the setting operation.
[0044] According to a 31st aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 27th aspect, the control means reads
the setting information from the storage medium which has been
inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the same to
the second device, with start-up of the communication device as a
trigger. Therefore, even when the second device does not have the
access address information for the storage means, it can receive
the setting information from the communication device and perform
the setting operation.
[0045] According to a 32nd aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 27th aspect, the control means
transmits a message indicating that the storage medium has been
inserted into the storage medium interface, to the second device,
with the insertion of the storage medium into the storage medium
interface as a trigger. Therefore, the setting operation for the
second device can be started up automatically with the insertion of
the storage medium into the communication device as a trigger.
[0046] According to a 33rd aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 27th aspect, the control means reads
the setting information from the storage medium which has been
inserted into the storage medium interface to transmit the same to
the second device, with the insertion of the storage medium into
the storage medium interface as a trigger. Therefore, the setting
operation for the second device can be started up automatically
with the insertion of the storage medium into the communication
device as a trigger.
[0047] According to a 34th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 28th aspect, the control means
transmits a message indicating that the storage medium has been
found, to the second device, with a fact that radio communication
becomes possible via the storage medium and the radio interface as
a trigger. Therefore, the setting operation for the second device
can be started up automatically with the fact that the radio
communication with the storage medium becomes possible as a
trigger.
[0048] According to a 35th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 28, the control means reads the setting
information from the storage medium via the radio interface to
transmit the same to the second device, with a fact that radio
communication becomes possible via the storage medium and the radio
interface as a trigger. Therefore, the setting operation for the
second device can be started up automatically with the fact that
the radio communication with the storage medium becomes possible as
a trigger.
[0049] According to a 36th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted device which is obtained by using the
communication device of the 27th or 28th to be mounted on a
vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device which can easily
carry out the setting of the second device only by exchanging the
storage medium inserted into the communication device or storage
medium for establishing the radio communication can be
realized.
[0050] According to a 37th aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle-mounted device of the 36th aspect, when vehicle speed
information is received from a vehicle speed sensor by the
communication means, the control means analyzes contents of the
vehicle speed information and when recognizing that the vehicle
speed is higher than a prescribed speed, controls the setting
information read from the storage medium which has been inserted
into the storage medium interface so as not to be transmitted to
the second device. Therefore, when the setting is updated at a time
when the vehicle speed is higher than the prescribed speed, the
setting operation for the second device is controlled, thereby
preventing harmful effects on the safe running of the vehicle.
[0051] According to a 38th aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle-mounted device of the 36th aspect, when status information
indicating an engine operation status is received from an engine
sensor by the communication means, the control means analyzes
contents of the status information and when recognizing that the
engine is working, controls the setting information read from the
storage medium which has been inserted into the storage medium
interface so as not to be transmitted to the second device.
Therefore, when the setting is updated while the engine is working,
the setting operation for the second device is controlled, thereby
preventing harmful effects on the safe running of the vehicle.
[0052] According to a 39th aspect of the present invention, a
communication device as a second device for establishing
communication with a first device via a channel comprises: a
communication means for establishing the communication with the
first device via the channel; a control means for controlling
reading of setting information from the first device or writing of
setting information onto the first device, via the channel; and a
setting means for carrying out setting of the second device on the
basis of the setting information which is read from the first
device and received by the communication means, and in this
communication device, when the setting information read from the
first device is updated, the control means controls writing of the
updated setting information onto the first device. Therefore, the
setting of the second device can be easily carried out on the basis
of the setting information received via the channel, and further
when the received setting information has been changed, the changed
setting information can be stored automatically in the storage
medium, whereby the operationality of the user is increased.
[0053] According to a 40th aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 39the aspect, the control means creates
a message for requesting the setting information to transmit the
same to the first device, with start-up of the communication device
as a trigger. Therefore, when the communication device is started
up, the setting operation can be started automatically.
[0054] According to a 41st aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 39th aspect, the control means creates
a message for requesting access address information required for
the communication with the first device to transmit the same by
broadcast, with start-up of the communication device as a trigger,
and when the communication means receives the access address
information from the first device, it transmits a message for
requesting setting information on the basis of the access address
information. Therefore, even when the access address information is
not included, the setting information can be received via the
channel, with the start-up of the communication device as a
trigger.
[0055] According to a 42nd aspect of the present invention, in the
communication device of the 39th aspect, the communication means
transmits a message for requesting setting information, with
receipt of a message for requesting setting information from a
third device which is connected to the channel as a trigger.
Therefore, with the receipt of the message for requesting the
setting information from the third device which is connected to the
channel as a trigger, the setting operation of the self-device can
be easily started automatically.
[0056] According to a 43rd aspect of the present invention, the
communication device of the 39th aspect further comprises a default
setting storage means for containing default setting information of
the second device, and in this communication device, when the
setting means receives setting information from the first device,
it carries out the setting of the second device on the basis of the
setting information, and when it receives no setting information
from the first device, it carries out the setting of the second
device on the basis of the default setting information. Therefore,
even when the setting information cannot be received via the
channel, the setting of the self-device can be carried out in
accordance with the default setting information.
[0057] According to a 44th aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle-mounted device which is obtained by using the
communication device of the 39th aspect to be mounted on a vehicle.
Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device which can easily execute and
change the setting of the self-device on the basis of the setting
information received via the channel can be provided.
[0058] According to a 45th aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle-mounted device of the 44th aspect, when vehicle speed
information is received from a vehicle speed sensor by the
communication means, the control means analyzes contents of the
vehicle speed information and when recognizing that the vehicle
speed is higher than a prescribed speed, controls the setting means
so as not to execute the setting of the second device. Therefore,
when the setting is updated as a time when the vehicle-speed is
higher than the prescribed speed, the setting operation of the
second device is controlled, thereby preventing harmful effects on
the safe running of the vehicle.
[0059] According to a 46th aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle-mounted device of the 44th aspect, when status information
indicating an engine operation status is received from an engine
sensor by the communication means, the control means analyzes
contents of the status information and when recognizing that the
engine is working, controls the setting means so as not to execute
the setting of the second device. Therefore, when the setting is
updated while the engine is working, the setting operation for the
second device is controlled, thereby preventing harmful effects on
the safe running of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of access address
information.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the access
address information.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting
information request.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the setting
information request.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device setting
information.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the device
setting information.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a
processing according to the first embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a device in
a case where the device is a vehicle seat position control
unit.
[0069] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a device in
a case where the device is an HMI.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a device in
a case where this is a device for carrying out voice
recognition.
[0071] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a
processing in a case where all information is transmitted by
unicast in the first embodiment.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a system in
a case where the system is constructed so that setting for a
connected device is reflected by turning-on of an ignition key or
engine starting.
[0073] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a system in
a case where the system is constructed so that setting for a
connected device is reflected by turning-on of an ignition key or
engine starting.
[0074] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the
schematic sequence of the processing according to the first
embodiment.
[0075] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the
schematic sequence of the processing in the first embodiment.
[0076] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of the
schematic sequence of the processing in the first embodiment.
[0077] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a system in
a case where the setting operation is controlled in accordance with
information of a vehicle speed sensor or engine sensor.
[0078] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a communication system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a
processing according to the second embodiment.
[0080] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another structure of the
communication system according to the second embodiment.
[0081] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a communication system
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0082] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a
processing according to the third embodiment.
[0083] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another structure of a
storage unit 117 of the third embodiment.
[0084] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another structure of a
communication terminal 11 of the third embodiment.
[0085] FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another structure of the
communication system of the third embodiment.
[0086] FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b) are diagrams for explaining a prior
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0087] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown
here are only examples, and the present invention is not limited to
these embodiments.
Embodiment 1
[0088] Hereinafter, a communication system according to the first
embodiment is described.
[0089] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system 101
of the first embodiment.
[0090] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 denotes a network, numeral
11 denotes a communication terminal (server), and numerals 12a, 12b
and 12c denotes devices. The communication terminal (server) 11,
and the devices 12a, 12b and 12c are connected by the network 15,
respectively. Here, each of the devices 12a, 12b and 12c is
realized by a vehicle-mounted device such as a CD changer, a
DVD-drive, and a car navigator, or a HMI (Human Machine Interface)
unit such as a touch panel and a control panel, or the like. Or,
the device can also be realized by a control unit for each element
in a vehicle, such as a seat position control unit and a mirror
position control unit. Further, when the communication system 101
is a communication system to be mounted on a vehicle, the
communication terminal (server) 11 can be realized by an integrated
operation panel of the car navigator and devices in the vehicle,
and the like.
[0091] The communication terminal (server) 11 comprises a storage
medium I/F (interface) 112 to/from which a storage medium 111 can
be attached/removed, a control means 113, and a communication means
114.
[0092] The storage medium 111 is removable from the communication
terminal (server) 11 and contains device setting information 115.
Here, the storage medium 111 is realized by a SD memory card, a
memory stick or the like. It can also be realized by a PCMCIA card,
a compact flash, a flash memory, an IC card or the like. In this
case, the storage medium I/F 112 corresponding to the storage
medium 111 is provided, for example a PCMCIA card slot is provided
in the case of the PCMCIA card, and an IC card reader is provided
in the case of the IC card.
[0093] The control means 113 controls each module in the
communication terminal (server) 11, comprises a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access
Memory) and the like, and can be constructed so as to execute the
control of each module by executing a program on the ROM with
utilizing the RAM as a storage area in the program execution.
[0094] The communication means 114 provides a means for the
communication terminal (server) 11 to communicate with other
devices by means of the network 15, and includes a protocol
controller chip, a transmission means and a receiving means of the
network 15.
[0095] The device 12a comprises a storage means 121, a control
means 122, a communication means 123 and a setting means 124, and
the storage means 121 contains access address information 125 and
default setting information 126.
[0096] The access address information 125 is information required
by the device 12a to access the storage medium 111 of the
communication terminal (server) 11, and is composed of, for
example, information such as the address of the communication
terminal (server) 11 on the network 15, an offset address in the
device, an ID or name (file name, retrieval key of a database or
the like) of information to be read.
[0097] Specific structures of the access address information 125
are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0098] FIG. 2 shows an address designation example in a case where
a data stored in the storage means 121 has a structure of a file
system such as a FAT (File Allocation Table), and includes a
directory name and a file name, indicating the address of the
communication terminal (server) 11 and the location of target data.
When the access address information is composed as described above,
other devices on the network can access the storage medium 111 of
the communication terminal (server) 11 as a file.
[0099] FIG. 3 is an address designation example in a case where the
data stored in the storage means 121 is a database in a form of
table, which includes the address of the communication terminal
(server) 11 and the retrieval key for the target data and the
like.
[0100] The default setting information 126 is setting information
for a default of the device 12a, and is a data to be utilized in
cases where data to be acquired from the access address information
125 are not available and the like.
[0101] The operation of the so-constructed communication system 101
is described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0102] Initially, in the communication system 101, when the
power-on of the system, system start-up, system reset or the like
occurs, the device 12a reads the access address information 125
stored in the storage means 121 using the control means 122 to
create a setting information request, and transmits the request to
the communication terminal (server) 11 via the network 15 using the
communication means 123 (step A1).
[0103] Here, the setting information request requests reading of
the setting information concerning the self-device (the device 12a
in this case), stored in the storage medium 111 in the
communication terminal (serve) 11, and examples of the setting
information request are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The setting
information request shown in FIG. 4 includes the address of the
target communication terminal (server) 11, the address of the
self-device, data for specifying necessary data (a directory name
and a file name) and the like. The setting information request
shown in FIG. 5 includes a database name and a retrieval key of the
database as the data for specifying necessary data.
[0104] Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 receives the
setting information request using the communication means 114,
analyses the contents of the setting information request using the
control means 113 to control the storage medium I/F 112, retrieves
target setting information A from the device setting information
115 stored in the storage medium 111, and transmits the information
to the device 12a via the network 15 (step A2).
[0105] Here, for example when the device setting information 115 is
composed as shown in FIG. 6 and the setting information request is
composed as shown in FIG. 4, the target file is retrieved on the
basis of the directory name (.Yen.device setting.Yen.car
navigator.Yen.maker A.Yen.) and the file name (model XYZ123) in the
setting information request.
[0106] In addition, when the device setting information 115 is
composed as shown in FIG. 7 (in FIG. 7, assume that "device setting
information", "XXXX information", and "YYYY information" are
database names, respectively), and the setting information request
is composed as shown in FIG. 5, the target information is retrieved
on the basis of the database name ("device setting information")
and the retrieval key of the database ("device type="car
navigator", maker="makerA", model="XYZ123") in the setting
information request.
[0107] The device 12a receives the setting information A which has
been retrieved as described above and transmitted by the
communication terminal (server) 11, using the communication means
123. Then, the control means 122 transmits a control signal or
setting information to the setting means 124 on the basis of the
received setting information A, and the setting means 124 carries
out the setting of the device 12a in a manner corresponding to the
device 12a.
[0108] When the storage medium 111 is not inserted into the storage
medium I/F 112 or necessary setting information is not stored in
the storage medium 111, the device 12a cannot receive the setting
information. Thus, it carries out a time-out processing after a
prescribed time period and carries out the setting with utilizing
the default setting information 126.
[0109] The setting of the device 12a is completed as described
above. The devices 12b and 12c are set in the same way.
[0110] The device 12b transmits a setting information request to
the communication terminal (server) 11 via the network 15 (step
A4). Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 retrieves setting
information B of the device 12b from the device setting information
115 stored in the storage medium 111. However, since the setting
information B does not exist in the storage medium 111, the
communication terminal (server) 11 notifies the device 12b of the
absence of the setting information B via the network 15 (step A5).
The device 12b which has received the notification of absence of
the setting information B is set by using default information (step
A6).
[0111] The device 12c transmits a setting information request to
the communication terminal (server) 11 via the network 15 (step
A7). Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 retrieves setting
information C of the device 12c from the device setting information
115 stored in the storage medium 111, and transmits the setting
information C to the device 12c via the network 15 (step A8). Then,
the device 12c is set in accordance with the setting information C
(step A9).
[0112] As described above, when the required setting information
does not exist, the communication terminal (server) 11 notifies the
device of the absence of the setting information, and the device
carries out the setting on the basis of the default information,
whereby the setting of the plural devices which are connected by
the network 15 can be easily carried out.
[0113] Specific examples of the device 12a are shown below.
[0114] When the device 12a is a car audio device such as a CD
changer, music order programming information, acoustical setting
information (volume, sound quality, equalizer setting or the like)
of a CD and the like can be used as the setting information A. The
setting means 124 is constituted by a CPU for controlling the
playback order of the CD in accordance with the music order
programming information of the CD and memories such as a ROM and a
RAM and the like. Or, the setting means 124 is constituted by an
equalizer, an amplifier or the like, for adjusting sounds to be
played in accordance with the acoustical setting information.
[0115] When the device 12a is a car navigator, route setting
information, positional information of registered locations
(destination, home and the like), differential information of
updated map data and the like can be used as the setting
information A. The setting means 124 is constituted by a memory for
registering the route setting information and the positional
information of the registered locations, and the like. Or, the
setting means 124 is constituted by a mass storage means, such as a
hard disk, a PD, and a DVD-RAM, for storing the differential
information of the updated map data, and a drive thereof. Further,
when the setting information A is data which are brought in from
outside and used by the car navigator, such as traffic information,
peripheral tourism information and peripheral map information, the
setting means 124 is constituted by a CPU for interpreting the data
which have been brought in from outside, a ROM and a RAM used by
the CPU, a display for displaying the interpreted result, a
controller for controlling the display and the like.
[0116] When the device 12a is an air conditioner device, operation
setting such as cooling, heating and dehumidification, temperature
setting, wind direction setting and the like can be used as the
setting information A. The setting means 124 is constituted by a
microcomputer for controlling various kinds of operations of the
air conditioner, and a memory for storing the above-mentioned
setting and the like.
[0117] When the device 12a is a seat position control unit of a
vehicle, seat position information such as the seat angle and
fore-and-aft seat position can be used as the setting information
A. As shown in FIG. 9, the setting means 124 is constituted by
motors for adjusting the seat angle and the fore-and-aft seat
position, a CPU for controlling the motors, and a ROM and a RAM
used by the CPU and the like. The so-constructed device 12a reads
the seat position information such as the seat angle and the
fore-and-aft seat position as the setting information from the RAM
using the CPU, controls the motors by executing a program stored in
the ROM taking the read information as an input parameter, and sets
the seat in a predetermined seat position.
[0118] When the device 12a is a mirror position control unit of a
vehicle, information concerning an angle for setting a mirror and
the like is used as the setting information A. The setting means
124 is constituted by a motor for adjusting the angle of the
mirror, a CPU for controlling the motor, and a ROM and a RAM used
by the CPU, and the like. The so-constructed device 12a reads the
information concerning the mirror setting angle as the setting
information from the RAM using the CPU, controls the motor by
executing a program stored in the ROM taking the read information
as an input parameter, and sets the mirror in a predetermined
mirror position.
[0119] When the device 12a is a handle position control unit of a
vehicle, information concerning a handle setting position and the
like is used as the setting information A. The setting means 124 is
constituted by a motor for adjusting the handle angle, a CPU for
controlling the motor, and a ROM and a RAM used by the CPU, and the
like. The so-constructed device 12a reads the handle angle
information as the setting information from the RAM using the CPU,
controls the motor by executing a program stored in the ROM taking
the read information as an input parameter, and sets the handle in
a predetermined handle position.
[0120] Further, when device setting information for each person is
used as the device setting information 115 in the storage medium
111, the setting or configuration of plural vehicle-mounted devices
and vehicle-mounted communication systems for each person can be
easily realized.
[0121] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the device 12a is an
HMI, the setting information includes information concerning the
user interface. In FIG. 10, numeral 128 denotes a display means.
When the display means 128 is realized by a control panel of the
car navigator or the like, the HMI can be customized to suit each
person.
[0122] More specifically, the applications such as creation of
atmosphere in a vehicle to suit each person or according to moods
or situations are possible when the information concerning the user
interface is setting information as for an instrument panel, a car
navigator screen, an audible alert to a improperly-locked door, and
the color and sound of a car accessory, the size of the font on the
operation screen of the car navigator, the color arrangement of the
screen, the information of frequently used operation registered in
function keys or the like.
[0123] In addition, when the information concerning the user
interface is voice composed data, the applications such as the
conversion of a car navigator guidance voice into a voice of a
favorite personality or character are also possible.
[0124] Further, when the information concerning the user interface
is dictionary data for a specified speaker in voice recognition in
the car navigator or the like, the vehicle-mounted voice
recognition system which can meet each person can be constructed
only by changing the storage means such as a memory card, even when
the user is different.
[0125] Here, an example where the device 12a is a device for
performing voice recognition is described with reference to FIG.
11. In FIG. 11, the setting means 124 comprises a microphone 1242,
a voice input means 1243, a feature extraction means 1244, a
recognition judge means 1245, a recognition result processing means
1246, and a voice recognizing dictionary 1247. In this case, the
voice recognizing dictionary 1247 has a dictionary for unspecified
speaker and a dictionary for specified speaker. The dictionary for
specified speaker is obtained by registering the setting
information acquired by the communication means 123 (dictionary for
specified speaker) in the voice recognizing dictionary 1247 by the
control means 122. The so-constructed device 12a converts a voice
signal which is input from the microphone 1242, into a digital
signal using the voice input means 1243, and extracts a feature
parameter from the output signal of the voice input means 1243
using the feature extraction means 1244. Then, the recognition
judge means 1245 compares the feature parameter extracted by the
feature extraction means 1244 with the standard pattern stored in
the voice recognizing dictionary 1247, and recognizes the input
voice. The recognition result processing means 1246 processes the
recognition result in accordance with the contents of the voice
recognized by the recognition judge mean 1245. By doing so, the
voice recognition system corresponding to a person can be
constructed.
[0126] In the above-mentioned explanations, in the communication
system 101, with the power-on of the system, the system start-up,
the system reset or the like as a trigger, each of the devices
which are connected to the communication terminal (server) 11 via
the network 15 transmits the setting information request to the
communication terminal (server) 11, and acquires the setting
information from the communication terminal (server) 11. However,
the procedure for acquiring the setting information of each device
is not limited to that, and the communication terminal (server) 11
can transmit the setting information with the power-on of the
communication system 101, the system start-up, the system reset or
the like as a trigger. The transmission method at that time can be,
for example, any of the broadcast method (addressed to all devices:
setting information which is common to all devices and the like),
multicast method (addressed to plural devices: setting information
which is common to plural devices and the like), and unicast method
(addressed to one device: setting information which is unique to
one device and the like). In this case, it is desirable that the
communication terminal (server) 11 should transmit the device
setting information 115 only in a case where the storage medium 111
has been inserted into the storage medium I/F 112.
[0127] The schematic flow in a case where all information is
transmitted by unicast is shown in FIG. 12. In the communication
system 101 shown in FIG. 12, with the power-on of the system, the
system start-up, the system reset or the like as a trigger, the
communication terminal (server) 11 detects whether the storage
medium 111 is inserted into the storage medium I/F 112 or not. When
confirming that the storage medium 111 is inserted, the
communication terminal (server) 11 transmits the setting
information A to the device 12a, notifies the device 12b of the
absence of the setting information B, and transmits the setting
information C to the device 12c. Then, the devices 12a and 12c are
set using the setting information A and C, respectively, and the
device 12b is set using the default setting information.
[0128] When the communication system 101 is a vehicle-mounted
system, it can be constructed so as to carry out the setting of the
respective devices which are connected to the network 15, by
turning-on of the ignition key or starting of the engine, as shown
in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, numeral 12k denotes a control unit, which
transmits a message for instructing to carry out the setting of the
respective devices connected to the network 15 upon the receipt of
a control signal from the ignition switch unit or engine sensor or
the like. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
1 denote the same or corresponding elements.
[0129] In the so-constructed communication system 101, with the
turning-on of the ignition key or starting of the engine as a
trigger, the control unit 12k transmits the message for instructing
to carry out the setting of the devices to the network 15 by
broadcast. Or, the communication system 101 can be constructed so
as to be started up by turning on the ignition key or starting the
engine.
[0130] In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 12k as
the ignition switch unit or engine sensor can be connected directly
to the plural devices which are connected to the network 15.
[0131] By doing so, even when the control unit 12k is not connected
to the network 15, the setting of the respective devices which are
connected to the network 15 can be carried out by turning on the
ignition key or starting the engine.
[0132] Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the communication system can
be constructed so as to carry out the setting of the devices
connected to the network 15, with the insertion of the storage
medium 111 into the storage medium I/F 112 as a trigger. In this
case, when the control means 113 detects that the storage medium
111 has been inserted into the storage medium I/F 112, the
communication terminal (server) 11 transmits a message for
notifying that the storage medium 111 has been inserted, to the
network 15 by broadcast, and then each of the devices which has
received the message transmits the setting information request to
the communication terminal (server) 11. Then, the communication
terminal (server) 11 transmits the setting information A and C to
the devices 12a and 12c, respectively, and transmits the absence of
the setting information B to the device 12b. Then, the devices 12a
and 12c are set using the setting information A and C,
respectively, and the device 12b is set using the default setting
information.
[0133] It is also possible that, with the insertion of the storage
medium 111 as a trigger, the communication terminal (server) 11
analyzes the setting information of the storage medium 111 and
transmits the message to a target device.
[0134] The setting of the respective devices connected to the
network 15 can be also carried out, with a request from a device
connected to the network 15 as a trigger. In this case, it is
possible that a device transmits a message for requesting the
update of the setting information to the network 15 by broadcast
and a device which has received the message transmits the setting
information request with the receipt of the message as a
trigger.
[0135] Here, the operation in a case where the device 12c transmits
the message by broadcast is described with reference to FIG. 16. In
FIG. 16, assume that the device 12c is a sensor device for
detecting the closing and opening of a door of a vehicle. When
detecting that the door gets closed, the device 12c transmits a
message for requesting the update of the setting information by
broadcast. By doing so, the setting can be carried out again each
time when the door gets closed. It goes without saying that the
message for requesting the update of the setting information is not
limited to the one transmitted by broadcast.
[0136] The access address information 125 is not always required by
the devices and can be dispensed with. For example, as shown in
FIG. 17, the communication terminal (server) 11 can transmit the
access address information for the storage medium 111 to the
respective devices by broadcast, on the start-up or the insertion
of the storage medium.
[0137] Further, it is also possible that the device for carrying
out the setting transmits a query concerning the access address
information to the storage medium 111 on the start-up by broadcast,
and the communication terminal (server) 11 returns the access
address information in response to the query.
[0138] In the above-mentioned explanations, it is described that
the setting operation can be executed with the insertion of the
storage medium 111 into the storage medium I/F 112 as a trigger,
while in the vehicle-mounted system, there are some cases where it
is dangerous if the position of the seat or mirror is set again,
such as when the vehicle is traveling. In these case, as shown in
FIG. 18, a vehicle speed sensor 12h for detecting the speed of the
vehicle outputs vehicle speed information, then the device 12a
(which is realized by a seat position control unit or the mirror
position control unit or the like) receives the output information,
and the setting operation is not executed in a case where the
vehicle speed is higher than a prescribed speed. Further, it is
also possible that the communication terminal (server) 11 receives
the vehicle speed information output by the vehicle speed sensor,
and the device setting information 115 is not transmitted when the
vehicle speed is higher than the prescribed speed on the basis of
the received vehicle speed information.
[0139] Further, execution or un-execution of the setting operation
can be controlled not on the basis of the vehicle speed information
but on the basis of whether the engine is working or not. In this
case, as shown in FIG. 18, an engine sensor 12j for detecting
whether the engine is started or not outputs status information of
the engine, the device 12a which is realized by the seat position
control unit or mirror position control unit or the like receives
the status information and, when the engine is working, does not
execute the setting operation. In addition, it is also possible not
to transmit the device setting information 115 when the
communication terminal (server) 11 receives the engine status
information which is output by the engine sensor and detects that
the engine is working.
[0140] The vehicle speed sensor 12h and the engine sensor 12j in
this case are connected to the network 15, while these sensors can
be connected directly to the communication terminal (server) 11 or
the device 12a.
[0141] Further, the device setting information 115 is not limited
to setting data concerning the device operation, and can be for
example a program which can be executed by the control means 122
realized by the CPU, ROM, RAM and the like in the device 12a. In
this case, it is possible that the device 12a temporarily stores
the received program in the storage means 121 and the control means
122 executes the program. Further, the program can have a format
which can be directly executed by the CPU or the like, or can be a
JAVA script.
[0142] The respective devices (12a, 12b and 12c) can not only
perform the reading of the information from the storage medium 111
but also perform writing of the information. For example, when the
user updates the setting information of the device 12a, the device
12a can write the updated information in the storage medium 111.
The timing of the writing can be updated each time when the setting
is updated or at intervals of a prescribed period, or the writing
can be performed collectively upon shut-down or sleep of the
system. Thus, when the system is started up the next time, the
setting of the respective devices can be executed in accordance
with the setting information which has been changed the last
time.
[0143] The information stored in the storage medium 111 can be not
only the information for each device or each user but also
information common to plural devices or plural users. Further,
information inherent to a certain device, information common to
plural devices, information common to all devices and the like can
be included.
[0144] In a case where no data are stored in the storage medium
111, the storage medium 111 is inserted into the storage medium I/F
112 to perform the setting of the devices, and the present setting
status is stored in the storage medium 111 by pushing a button
provided in the communication terminal (server) 11, for example. By
doing so, when the storage medium 111 is inserted into the storage
medium I/F 112 again, the devices can be set in accordance with the
last time setting information.
[0145] It is also possible that a stationary mass storage device
such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is separately provided in the
communication terminal (server) 11, and different storage media are
used according to types of data so as to store the setting
information common to plural devices and the setting information
common to plural users among the setting information in the HDD,
and store only the setting varying with the devices or users in a
removable storage medium such as a memory card. By doing so, the
storage capacity of the memory card can be suppressed. Further,
when the communication system is a vehicle-mounted communication
system, it is also possible to store setting information for each
vehicle in the HDD and store personal setting information in a
memory card.
[0146] In this case, it is also possible to store an ID identifying
a person and actual setting information for each person in the HDD
provided in the communication terminal (server) 11 and store only
the ID identifying the person in the storage medium 111. The
communication terminal (server) 11 decides on the basis of the ID
which personal setting information is to be enabled, and the
following processes can be similarly carried out regarding the
personal setting information which has been decided to be enabled
as the setting information stored in the storage means.
[0147] In the above descriptions, a linkage control for plural
devices can be realized utilizing the fact that the storage medium
111 is also a storage means which can be accessed commonly by the
plural devices on the network, and its procedure is schematically
described hereinafter.
[0148] Initially, a device (device 12a in this case) writes common
setting information as the setting information common to the plural
devices in the storage medium 111 of the communication terminal
(server) 11. Then, after writing the common setting information,
the device 12a transmits a message for requesting the update of the
setting information to the network 15 by broadcast. The other
devices 12b and 12c connected to the network 15 read the setting
information in the storage medium 111 of the communication terminal
(server) 11 upon receipt of the message. At this time, the devices
12b and 12c simultaneously read also the common setting
information. Then, the devices 12b and 12c execute the setting
operation in accordance with the read common setting information,
whereby the devices 12a, 12b and 12c can operate in a linked
manner.
[0149] When the communication system is to be mounted on a vehicle,
specific examples of the common setting information are the vehicle
speed information, the vehicle position information and the like.
When the common setting information is the vehicle speed
information, the device 12a is decided to be a speed meter and the
device 12b is decided to be a control panel, thereby realizing such
a linkage operation that the operation of the control panel device
12b is disabled when the vehicle speed is higher than the
prescribed speed. Further, when the common setting information is
the vehicle position information, the device 12a is decided to be a
GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and the device 12b is decided
to be a tuner unit, thereby realizing such a linkage operation that
the device 12b changes frequency setting to suite the frequency of
the broadcast station for each region in accordance with the
position information.
[0150] In the communication system 101 according to the first
embodiment, the device 12a connected to the network 15 reads the
device setting information 115 from the storage medium 111 inserted
into the storage medium I/F 112 of the communication terminal
(server) 11 via the network 15 automatically, for example, with the
start-up of the system or insertion of the storage medium as the
trigger, and then the setting of the device 12a is performed on the
basis of the setting information A read from the storage medium
111. Therefore, it is unnecessary that the user should carry out
the setting of each device using a storage medium corresponding to
each device of the devices connected to the network 15, as in the
prior art, but the setting of the device 12a can be easily executed
only by inserting the storage medium 111 into the communication
terminal (server) 11 and further the devices connected to the
network 15 other than the device 12a can be similarly set using one
storage medium 111, whereby the operationality of the user is
increased.
[0151] When the setting information B is not included in the device
setting information 115 like in the case of the device 12b, or when
the receipt of the device setting information 115 from the
communication terminal (server) 11 fails, the setting operation by
the user such as manual setting is not required, and the setting
operation can be executed using the default setting information,
whereby the operationality of the user is further increased.
Embodiment 2
[0152] Hereinafter, a communication system 102 according to the
second embodiment is described.
[0153] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the communication system
102 of the second embodiment.
[0154] In FIG. 19, numeral 151 denotes a first network and numeral
152 denotes a second network. Numeral 11 denotes a communication
terminal (server). Numerals 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e denote
devices, respectively. Numeral 13 denotes a relay device. The
devices 12a, 12b and 12c are connected by the first network 151,
respectively. The communication terminal (server) 11, and the
devices 12d and 12e are connected by the second network 152,
respectively. In addition, the first network 151 and the second
network 152 are connected by the relay device 13. Here, the first
and second networks 151 and 152 can also be different transmission
media or communication protocols.
[0155] The relay device 13 comprises a control means 131, two
communication means 132 and 133, and a storage means 134. The
control means 131 controls the whole of the relay device 13. The
storage means 134 contains routing information or packet transfer
information utilized by the relay device 13. The communication
means 132 provides a means for the relay device 13 to communicate
with other devices via the first network 151, and includes a
protocol controller chip of the first network 151, a transmission
means, a receiving means and the like. The communication means 133
provides a means for the relay device 13 to communicate with other
devices via the second network 152, and includes a protocol
controller chip of the second network 152, a transmission means, a
receiving means and the like.
[0156] In the normal data transmission, the relay device 13
transfers data addressed to the second network 152 among packet
data in the first network 151 to the second network 152, and
transfers data address to the first network 151 among packet data
in the second network 152 to the first network 151, thereby
realizing the communication between the first network 151 and the
second network 152.
[0157] In FIG. 19, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1
denote the same or corresponding elements.
[0158] The operation of the so-constructed communication system 102
is described with reference to FIG. 20.
[0159] Initially, in the communication system 102, when the
power-on of the system, the system start-up, the system reset or
the like occurs, the device 12a reads the access address
information 125 stored in the storage means 121 using the control
means 122 to create the setting information request, and transmits
the same to the relay device 13 via the network 151 using the
communication means 123 (step B1).
[0160] Here, the setting information request requests reading of
setting information concerning the self-device (device 12a in this
case) in the storage medium 111 of the communication terminal
(server) 11.
[0161] Then, the relay device 13 receives the setting information
request using the communication means 132, analyses the received
setting information request using the control means 131, and
transfers the request to the communication terminal (server) 11 via
the second network 152 (step B2).
[0162] The transfer methods vary with types of the relay device 13
(gateway, router, bridge or the like).
[0163] For example, when the relay device 13 is a gateway device,
the transfer process is executed in the seventh application layer
of OSI (Open Systems Interconnection). Initially, the gateway relay
device 13 extracts data from a received application layer packet
and analyzes the contents by the control means 131. As a result of
the analysis, when the relay device 13 recognizes that the data is
a setting information request to the communication terminal
(server) 11, the relay device 13 transmits the setting information
request to the network 152. An example of the access address
information 125 in this case can be a network address of the
gateway relay device 13. In addition, the gateway device 13 can be
registered so as to transfer the received data to the communication
terminal (server) 11 when the data is the setting information
request.
[0164] When the relay device 13 is a router device, the transfer
process is executed in the third network layer of OSI. Here, the
description is given, taking a case where the network protocol is
an Internet protocol (hereinafter, abbreviated as IP) as an
example. Initially, the router relay device 13 extracts a
destination IP address of a received network layer packet (IP
datagram in this case), analyzes the destination IP address using
the control means 131, and retrieves a transfer destination table
of the network layer stored in the storage means 134. Then, when
recognizing that the transfer destination network of the
destination address is the network 152, the relay device 13 carries
out a required header processing and the like, and transfers the IP
datagram to the network 152. An example of the access address
information 125 in this case can be a network address (IP address)
of the communication terminal (server) 11. In addition, in the
router relay device 13, it can be registered in the transfer
destination table of the network layer that the IP datagram
addressed to the IP address of the communication terminal (server)
11 is transferred to the network 152.
[0165] When the relay device 13 is a bridge device, the transfer
process is executed in the second data link layer of OSI.
Initially, the bridge relay device 13 extracts a destination data
link layer address of a received data link layer packet, analyzes
the designation data link layer address using the control means 131
to retrieve a transfer destination table of the data link layer or
the like. Then, when recognizing that the transfer destination
network of the destination address is the network 152, the relay
device 13 carries out a necessary processing and the like, and
transfers the data link layer packet to the network 152. An example
of the access address information 125 in this case can be a data
link layer address of the communication terminal (server) 11. In
addition, in the bridge relay device 13, it can be registered in
the transfer destination table of the data link layer that the data
link packet to the data link layer address of the communication
terminal (server) 11 is transferred to the network 152.
[0166] The setting information request which has been transferred
by the relay device 13 is transmitted via the second network 152,
and received by the communication means 114 of the communication
terminal (server) 11. Then, the control means 113 analyzes the
contents of the received setting information request, controls the
storage medium I/F 112 to retrieve the setting information A from
the device setting information 115 stored in the storage medium
111, and transmits the setting information A to the relay device 13
via the second network 152 (step B3).
[0167] Then, the relay device 13 carries out a relay processing,
and transmits the setting information A to the device 12a via the
first network 151 (step B4). Here, the relay processing methods
vary with the types of the relay device 13 (gateway, router, bridge
or the like).
[0168] For example, when the relay device 13 is a gateway, the
communication terminal (server) 11 transmits the setting
information A to the relay device 13. The gateway relay device 13
extracts data of the application layer of the received packet, and
analyzes the contents of the data using the control means 131. As a
result of the analysis, when recognizing that the data is setting
information to be transmitted to the device 12a, the relay device
13 transfers the setting information to the first network 151.
[0169] Examples of the method for analyzing the packet to decide
the destination address at which the packet is to be transmitted,
performed by the gateway relay device 13, are described below.
[0170] In the first method, respective device IDs (identifiers
which can identify at least devices on the communication system
102) for the devices (devices 12a, 12b and 12c) and addresses
(network address/data link layer address) are stored in the gateway
relay device 13. The device ID is added to the setting information
request and its response (setting information). The gateway relay
device 13 sees the device ID added to the response (setting
information) to decide an address to which the response is to be
returned, and returns the response to the address.
[0171] In the second method, when the gateway relay device 13 has
transferred the setting information request, the relay device 13
stores the return destination of an response corresponding to the
request in a table or the like. In order to realize this, for
example, a request ID (identifier which is unique to each setting
information request) is added to each setting information request.
When the gateway relay device 13 transfers the setting information
request, the relay device 13 stores return destination address
information and its request ID in pairs, in a table or the like.
The return destination address can be the address of the
transmission source of the request. Here, the return destination
address is address information of the device 12a. The communication
terminal (server) 11 adds the same request ID to the response
(setting information) for the setting information request, and
returns the response. When the gateway relay device 13 receives the
response (setting information) for the setting information request,
it retrieves the table from the request ID added to the response,
and decides the transfer destination address.
[0172] Next, when the relay device 13 is a router, the
communication terminal (server) 11 returns the IP datagram which
designates the IP address of the device 12a as the destination IP
address. The router relay device 13 extracts the destination IP
address of the received IP datagram, analyzes the contents of the
destination IP address using the control means 131, and retrieves
the transfer destination table of the network layer or the like.
Then, when the relay device 13 recognizes that the transfer
destination network of the destination address is the network 151,
the relay device 13 carries out a necessary header processing and
the like, and transfers the IP datagram to the network 151. In the
router relay device 13, it can be registered in the transfer
destination table of the network layer that the IP datagram to the
IP address of the device 12a is transferred to the network 15.
[0173] When the relay device 13 is a bridge, the communication
terminal (server) 11 returns a data link layer packet which
designates the data link layer address of the device 12a as the
destination data link layer address. Then, the relay device 13
extracts the destination data link layer address of a received data
link layer packet, analyzes the contents of the destination data
link layer address using the control means 131, and retrieves a
transfer destination table of the data link layer of the like.
Then, when the relay device 13 recognizes that the transfer
destination network of the destination address is the network 151,
the relay device 13 carries out a necessary header processing and
the like, and transfers the data link layer packet to the network
151. In the bridge relay device 13, it can be registered in the
transfer destination table of the data link layer that the data
link layer packet to the data link layer address of the device 12
is transferred to the network 151.
[0174] The setting information A transferred by the relay device 13
as described above is transmitted via the network 151, and received
by the communication means 123 of the device 12a (step B4).
[0175] Then, the control means 122 transmits a control signal or
setting information to the setting means 124 in accordance with the
received setting information A. The setting means 124 carries out
the setting of the device 12a by a method corresponding to the
device 12a (step B5). When the device 12a cannot receive the
setting information, the time-out processing is carried out after a
prescribed time period and the setting is carried out utilizing the
default setting information 126, as in the first embodiment.
[0176] The setting for the device 12a is completed as described
above. The devices 12b and 12c are also set in the same manner.
Further, the devices 12d and 12e are set in the same manner as the
setting operation of each device in the communication system 101 of
the first embodiment.
[0177] The device 12b transmits a setting information request to
the relay device 13 via the first network 151 (step B6). Then, the
relay device 13 receives the setting information request by the
communication means 132, analyzes the received setting information
request by the control means 131, and transfers the same to the
communication terminal (server) 11 via the second network 152 (step
B7). The communication terminal (server) 11 receives the setting
information request by the communication means 114, analyzes the
contents of the setting information request, and controls the
storage medium I/F 112 to retrieve the setting information B from
the device setting information 115 stored in the storage medium
111, by the control means 113. However, since the setting
information B does not exist, the communication terminal (server)
11 notifies the relay device 13 of the absence of the setting
information B via the second network 152 (step B8). Then, the relay
device 13 carries out the relay processing, and transfers the
notification to the device 12b via the first network 151 (step B9).
Then, the device 12b which has been notified of the absence of the
setting information B is set using the default setting information
126 (step B10).
[0178] The device 12c transmits a setting information request to
the relay device 13 via the first network 151 (step B11). Then, the
relay device 13 receives the setting information request by the
communication means 132, analyzes the received setting information
request by the control means 131, and transfers the same to the
communication terminal (server) 11 via the second network 152 (step
B12). The communication terminal (server) 11 receives the setting
information request by the communication means 114, analyzes the
contents of the setting information request and controls the
storage medium I/F 112 to retrieve the setting information C from
the device setting information 115 stored in the storage medium
111, using the control means 113, and then the transmits the
setting information C to the relay device 13 via the second network
152 (step B13). Then, the relay device 13 carries out the relay
processing, and transfers the setting information C to the device
12c via the first network 151 (step B14). Then, the device 12c is
set in accordance with the setting information c (step B15).
[0179] The device 12d transmits a setting information request to
the communication terminal (server) 11 via the second network 152
(step B16). Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 retrieves
setting information D of the device 12d from the device setting
information 115 stored in the storage medium 111, and transmits the
setting information D to the device 12d via the second network 152
(step B17). Then, the device 12d is set in accordance with the
setting information D (step B18).
[0180] The device 12e transmits a setting information request to
the communication terminal (server) 11 via the second network 152
(step B19). Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 retrieves
setting information E of the device 12e from the device setting
information 115 stored in the storage medium 111, and transmits the
setting information E to the device 12e via the second network 152
(step B20). Then, the device 12e is set in accordance with the
setting information E (step B21).
[0181] As described above, the setting for all the devices on the
communication system 102 is finished.
[0182] In this second embodiment, the communication terminal
(server) 11 is a terminal which is connected to only one network
152. However, as shown in FIG. 21, the communication terminal
(server) 11 can be utilized as a relay device. In FIG. 21, numerals
1141 and 1142 denote communication mean of the communication
terminal (server) 11. Numeral 153 denotes a third network. Numerals
12g and 12f denote devices. The communication terminal (server) 11,
and the devices 12g and 12f are connected by the third network 153,
respectively. In FIG. 21, the same reference numerals as those in
FIG. 19 denote the same or corresponding elements. In the
communication system 103 in FIG. 21, the devices 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d
and 12e can be set by the setting method as described in this
second embodiment. In addition, the devices 12f, 12g, 12d and 12e
can be set by the same setting method as that in the first
embodiment.
[0183] In the second embodiment, the relay device 13 comprises two
communication means, while the relay device 13 can have three or
more communication means. In this case, it is decided which
communication means among the plural communication means transfers
a packet, using a transfer table stored in the storage means 134 or
the like.
[0184] The procedure of the setting is not limited to the example
as described in this embodiment. When the communication terminal
(server) 11 is the one in the communication system 102 shown in
FIG. 19, the message for notifying that the storage medium 111 has
been inserted can be transmitted to the second network 152 by
broadcast. When the communication terminal (server) 11 is the one
in the communication system 103 shown in FIG. 21, this message can
be transmitted to the second network 152 and the third network 153
by broadcast. In these cases, when the relay device 13 receives the
message from the network 152, it transfers the message to the
network 151 by broadcast. Though not shown but even if another
relay device exists ahead, this relay device transfers the message
in the same manner by broadcast. In this case, however, in order to
prevent the packet from going round, it is desirable when the relay
device receives the same message from plural communication means,
not to carry out the transfer process for the second or later
message.
[0185] In the communication system 102 according to the second
embodiment, the communication between the plural devices 12a to 12c
connected to the first network 151 and the communication terminal
(server) 11 connected to the second network 152 is relayed by the
relay device 13. Therefore, not only the setting of the devices 12d
and 12e connected to the second network 152 but also the setting of
the plural devices 12a to 12c connected to the first network 151
can be easily executed. In addition, when the storage medium 111 is
exchanged, the setting of the devices 12a to 12e which are
connected to the first network 151 and the second network 152 can
be easily changed, whereby the operationality of the user is
increased.
Embodiment 3
[0186] Hereinafter, a communication system 104 according to the
third embodiment is described.
[0187] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the communication system
104 of the third embodiment.
[0188] In FIG. 22, the communication terminal (server) 11 comprises
a storage means 110, a control means 113, a communication means
114, and a radio I/F (interface) 116. Here, the storage means 110
can be unremovable from the communication terminal (server) 11, and
is realized by a memory or the like.
[0189] Numeral 117 denotes a storage unit which comprises a storage
means 1111, a radio I/F (interface) 118, and a control means
119.
[0190] The storage means 1111 contains the device setting
information 115, and is desirably realized by a SD memory card, a
memory stick or the like. It can also be realized by a PCMCIA card,
a compact flash, a flash memory, an IC card or the like.
[0191] The radio I/Fs 116 and 118 include an antenna, a
transmitter-receiver and the like which are required for radio
communication, and realize the radio communication. To be more
specific, the radio I/F is desirably realized by a Bluetooth which
uses a frequency band of 2.4 GHz, an IEEE802.11 or the like. Or,
the radio I/F can be an IrDA as an infrared communication standard,
or the like. The radio I/Fs 116 and 118 can correspond to plural
I/Fs, respectively, while the radio I/Fs 116 and 118 include at
least one I/F which is of the same type and they can communicate by
radio each other.
[0192] The control means 119 controls reading and writing of data
from and onto the storage means 111 and the radio communication by
the radio I/F 118, and is realized by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the
like.
[0193] In FIG. 22, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1
denote the same or corresponding elements.
[0194] The operation of the so-constructed communication system 104
is described with reference to FIG. 23.
[0195] Initially, in the communication system 104, when the
power-on of the system, the system start-up, the system reset or
the like occurs, the communication terminal (server) 11 starts
transmission of an query signal (step C1). The query signal is
repeatedly transmitted and desirably transmitted at intervals of a
prescribed time period. The communication terminal (server) 11
transmits the query signal by means of the radio I/F 116, and
retrieves whether other radio communication units exist in a
communicable area by observing a response for the query.
[0196] The storage unit 117 observes the query signal from the
communication terminal (server) 11, and retrieves whether a radio
communication unit exists in the communicable area. When no radio
communication unit exists in the communicable area, the
communication terminal (server) 11 does not observe the response,
but the communication terminal (server) 11 repeatedly transmits the
query signal and continues the retrieval. Examples of the query can
be realized by Inquiry or Page in the case of Bluetooth. In
addition, when the storage unit 117 exists in an area where this
unit 117 can communicate with the communication terminal (server)
11, the storage unit 117 receives the query signal (step C2).
[0197] Then, the storage unit 117 transmits a response signal for
the received query signal (response to Inquiry or Page in the case
of Bluetooth) to the communication terminal (server) 11 (step
C3).
[0198] Then, when the communication terminal (server) 11 receives
the response signal, it recognizes that a radio communication unit
exists in the communicable area (step C4).
[0199] The communication terminal (server) 11 confirms whether the
detected radio communication unit is a storage unit having a
storage means 1111 or not, by communicating with the detected radio
communication unit. This processing is confirmed by the
communication between the control means 119 of the storage unit and
the control means 113 of the communication terminal (server) 11 via
the radio I/Fs 116 and 118 (step C5). The confirmation is made by
such a confirmation method that a code indicating the type of a
device is previously decided and then the storage unit 117
transmits a code indicating that the self-device is a device
classified as the storage unit, to the communication terminal
(server) 11.
[0200] Then, when the communication terminal (server) 11 has
confirmed that the radio communication unit is a storage unit
having the storage means 1111, it requests the transmission of the
device setting information 115 stored in the storage means 1111 of
the storage unit 117 (step C6).
[0201] Then, the storage unit 117 transmits the device setting
information 115 to the communication terminal (server) 11 (step
C7).
[0202] Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 stores the
received device setting information 115 in the storage means 110
(step C8).
[0203] Then, the communication terminal (server) 11 transmits a
message for notifying that the storage unit 117 which comprises the
storage means 1111 having the device setting information 115 has
been found, to the network 15 by broadcast (step C9).
[0204] Then, when the device 12a receives the message, it creates
the setting information request and transmits the request via the
network 15 (step C10). The communication terminal (server) 11
analyzes the contents of the setting information request, retrieves
the setting information A from the device setting information 115
stored in the storage means 110, and transmits the setting
information A to the device 12a via the network 15 (step C11). The
device 12a is set in accordance with the setting information A
transmitted as described above.
[0205] The system operation subsequent to step C8 can be the same
as the operation after the insertion of the storage medium 111 in
the first embodiment, and it is also possible that the
communication terminal (server) 11 analyzes the setting information
of the storage means 110 and transmits the message for notifying a
target device of the fact that the storage means has been found, by
multicast (addressed to plural devices) or unicast (addressed to
one device).
[0206] It is also possible that the communication terminal (server)
11 analyzes the setting information of the storage means 110 and
transmits the device setting information to a target device by
broadcast (information common to all devices), multicast
(information common to plural devices), or unicast (information
unique to one device).
[0207] In the above descriptions, the communication terminal
(server) 11 repeatedly transmits the query signal, while it is also
possible that the query signal is transmitted from the storage unit
117 side. In this case, it is possible that an input means 1191
such as a button is provided in the storage unit 117 as shown in
FIG. 24, and only when the user pushes the button 1191 the query
signal is transmitted for a prescribed time period or prescribed
times thereafter. It is also possible that an input means 1131 such
as a button is provided in the communication terminal (server) 11
as shown in FIG. 25, and only when the user pushes the button 1131
the query signal is transmitted for a prescribed time period or
prescribed times thereafter. By doing so, the consumed power can be
reduced.
[0208] In the above descriptions, the setting operation is
executed, with a timing when the communication between the
communication terminal (server) 11 and the storage unit 117 becomes
possible as a trigger. However, it is also possible, for example,
to execute the operation with a timing when the communication
between the communication terminal (server) 11 and the storage unit
117 becomes "impossible" as a trigger. The detection that the
communication has become impossible can be judged from the fact
that no response for the query which is periodically transmitted by
the communication terminal (server) 11 to the storage unit 117
comes. Or, it can be judged that the communication is impossible
when K-time responses do not come in response to N-time queries
(N>K).
[0209] A case where personal information A 1151 is stored in the
storage mean 1111 of the storage unit 117 like the vehicle-mounted
communication system 105 shown in FIG. 26, and the device 12a is a
device for setting a security system of a vehicle is described as
an example. A security system setting means 1241 controls
turning-on (start up)/turning-off (release) of the security system.
The security system can be a device for detecting such facts that
the vehicle starts running, the engine is cranked, vibrations are
added or the door gets opened, and emitting a large sound, or
constructed so as to send information by means of a self-contained
portable phone or the like. Or, it can be constructed such that the
engine cranks only when the security system is turned off
(released).
[0210] In FIG. 26, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 22
denote the same or corresponding elements.
[0211] Hereinafter, the operation of the communication system 105
is described.
[0212] Initially, when the communication terminal (server) 11
becomes communicable with the storage unit 117, it transmits the
personal information 1151 A. When the device 12a has received the
personal information 1151 A, the device 12a retrieves a personal
information database 127 stored in the storage means 121 and
examines whether the personal information 1151 A is personal
information registered in the personal information database 127.
When the information is registered, the security system is turned
off.
[0213] When the communication with the storage unit 117 becomes
impossible, the communication terminal (server) 11 transmits a
message for notifying the effect to the device 12a. When the device
12a receives the message, the security system is turned on. With
the above-mentioned structure, it can be easily realized that the
security system is released (turned off) only when the normal user
registered in the personal information database 127 is in a
radio-communicable area which is at a prescribed distance from the
vehicle. However, it is desirable to use a radio interface which
has a relatively narrower radio-communicable area, like
Bluetooth.
[0214] The storage unit 117 comprises the storage means 1111 and
the radio I/F 118, and requires only that the personal information
1151 stored in the storage means 1111 can be communicated via the
radio I/Fs 118 and 116. For example, the storage unit can be
realized by providing a slot of a memory card and a Bluetooth
interface in a portable phone. In this case, the storage unit 117
is a memory card inserted into the slot of the memory card, and the
radio interface is a Bluetooth interface.
[0215] When no data are stored in the storage means 1111 of the
storage unit 117 such as a radio data card, writing setting is
performed. For example in cases where the storage unit 117 is a
wireless key, when the driver gets off the vehicle, the setting
status at that time is stored in the storage means 1111 together
with the key ID, whereby when the driver gets on the vehicle again,
the setting status of each vehicle-mounted device can be set in the
setting status before the driver gets off the vehicle.
[0216] In this case, it is also possible to store an ID identifying
a person and actual setting information for each person in a
stationary mass storage such as the HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
separately provided in the communication terminal (server) 11 and
store only the ID identifying the person in the storage means 1111
of the storage unit 117. The communication terminal (server) 11
decides on the basis of the ID which personal setting information
is to be enabled, and the following processes can be similarly
carried out regarding the personal setting information which has
been decided to be enabled as the setting information stored in the
storage means.
[0217] In the communication system 104 of the third embodiment, the
communication terminal (server) 11 communicates with the storage
unit 117 by radio, receives the device setting information 115 from
the storage means 1111 of the storage unit 117, and stores the same
in the storage means 110. The device 12a connected to the network
15 reads the device setting information 115 from the storage means
1111 of the storage unit 117 via the network 15 automatically, for
example by bringing the storage unit 117 closer to an area in which
the radio communication with the communication terminal (server) 11
is possible as a trigger, and carries out the setting of the device
12a on the basis of the setting information A read from the storage
means 1111 of the storage unit 117. Therefore, it is unnecessary
for the user to carry out the setting of each device using a
storage medium corresponding to each of the devices connected to
the network 15, like in the prior art. In addition, without
inserting the storage medium 111 in the storage medium I/F like in
the communication system shown in any of the first and second
embodiments, the setting of the device 12a can be easily executed
only by bringing the storage unit 117 closer to an area in which
the radio communication with the communication terminal (server) 11
is possible, and further the devices connected to the network 15
other than the device 12a can be similarly set by one storage unit
117, whereby the operationality of the user is increased.
[0218] Further, when the setting information B is not included in
the device setting information 115 like in the case of the device
12b or when the receipt of the device setting information 115 from
the communication terminal (server) 11 fails, the setting operation
by the user such as the manual setting is not required, and the
setting operation can be executed using the default setting
information, whereby the operationality of the user is further
increased.
* * * * *